Jackson Recaps UNC Official Visit

Toby Jackson's official visit to North Carolina provided the JuCo defensive end an opportunity to catch up with some old friends – A.J. Blue and Kevin Reddick.

"At Hargrave, Kevin Reddick and A.J. Blue were real close," Jackson said. "We were like best friends at Hargrave. It was kind of like a reunion for us."

Jackson, a 6-foot-5, 265-pounder, played football with Reddick and Blue while prepping at Hargrave in 2008. Reddick served as Jackson's player host for the weekend.

"[Reddick and I] were basically just hanging out and just talking," Jackson said. "He was just keeping it real – letting me know how things go, how it was up there, how the coaches are, how the program is, how the defense is, and letting me know why he went there.

"I had a really good time with Kevin Reddick. We were just hanging out as friends – it wasn't like me being a recruit. It wasn't like he was my host – it was like two homeboys just hanging out together."

The visit was Jackson's first to UNC.

"I've got a lot of love for them," Jackson said. "I like the program. I like the people around the program. I like the coaches. There's nothing bad I can say about North Carolina."

Regardless, Jackson isn't ready to crown UNC his favorite.

"I could see myself playing at North Carolina," Jackson said. "But I like a couple of more schools, too. I like Central Florida, I like Ole Miss, and I like Oklahoma State… After I take my other visits and if they don't top North Carolina, I'll probably go to North Carolina."

Jackson, who has previously taken official trips to Alabama and Baylor, doesn't have any future official visits scheduled. However, he plans to schedule official trips to Central Florida and Oklahoma State "soon."

Jackson, who has two years of eligibility remaining plus a red-shirt season, plans on signing with his chosen school during the junior college signing period and enroll in January. Thus, he figures to make his college decision shortly after taking his final two official visits.

Jackson's UNC official visit was scheduled somewhat last minute. He began discussing the possibility of officially visiting with the coaching staff last Tuesday.

"I've been planning on setting up a visit there, but I never knew when," Jackson said. "When the opportunity presented itself, I just jumped on it. I was free this weekend and had nothing to do, and they happened to have a home game."

After arriving in Chapel Hill on Friday, Jackson received a campus tour, attended a women's basketball game, and spent time with UNC assistant coaches Charlie Coiner, Art Kaufman and Everett Withers

"They were just talking about how they would love to have me, how they want to use me, and how they feel like I can come in and make a big impact," Jackson said. "They were basically just telling me if I were to come there how better the defense would be.

"They want me to play defensive end and they want me to play right away. If I were to decide on North Carolina, as soon as I get there, I would be competing for the starting spot."

On Saturday afternoon, Jackson attended the UNC-NC State football game.
"I love the atmosphere – it was a great atmosphere," Jackson said. "The fans were very supportive. They have a lot of diehard fans. And there's a lot of tradition there. I enjoyed the game, too, even though they didn't win."

During Jackson's conversations, the situation surrounding the defensive line coach was addressed.

"How things are looking right now, it looked like Coach Coiner is going to stay," Jackson said. "The vibe I got from the coaching staff and from everybody else [is] they like Coach Coiner. He's a really good guy – I like him myself. He knows what he's doing – he knows his stuff."